Sporty at the start of the new school year? Our practical advice

Who's been a naughty holidaymaker?

Who hasn't kept their summer sports resolutions?

It's you!

And yet you promised, swore, spat that this time you were going to go "all out".

You bet! And a barbecue here, an aperitif there and the little nap that goes with it...

Well, come on, I'll stop teasing...

And to tell you the truth, I didn't do any better. A real lizard sleeping under the sun...

Well, only now it's back to school and we've got to get back into it. Are you ready?

So here are a few tips to get you moving.

Happy reading and happy recovery!

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1. Treat yourself

Do you want to know the secret to becoming a regular, hard-working athlete?

Enjoy it!

Because, yes, you have to know how to enjoy yourself even when it comes to sport... (We know, the effort, but also the comfort, all that, all that...).

There's only one solution: choose the activity that appeals to you.

There are those who love to sweat blood and water on the asphalt, those who go to the United States to vibrate in the middle of hundreds of Marathon Man... And it's great...

But no one's forcing you to do the same!

There's no need to slave away in the gym or run like crazy for miles if that's not your thing... (Well, if it is, I've got some tips too).

So, we repeat: choose a sporting activity you enjoy...

The one that will make you want to do it again and again (that's just the beginning, all right, all right). Otherwise, you're bound to get bored and throw it all away...

And don't be afraid to try out sports you've never heard of or never considered before...

What about yoga or a martial art (Aikido, Judo or karate... Krav-maga!!!)?

Of course, if you're already a seasoned athlete, then keep up the momentum and set yourself new goals.

But there's nothing to stop you trying out new sports, just to rediscover the pleasure of the beginner, the discovery, the new challenge.

(So, I tried out climbing for you while feeling dizzy... I won't say more about the new sensations)

Remember: have fun!

2. Forget the others

If you don't want to get discouraged... Never, ever, compare yourself to others.

You don't practice a sport to impress others, but above all for yourself... For your well-being, your health or to boost your self-confidence.

It doesn't matter... Just not to be like everyone else. No way!

See what I mean?

Do you have a friend who is very sporty and never stops talking about his or her exploits? Or do you watch sports influencers on social networks? And they go on and on about their biceps and abs... And it gets on your nerves!

Because you're not there yet... I understand!

OK! Instead of despairing that you too don't have the body or fitness of your dreams, focus on your progress.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and you have to learn to be patient...

Soon, you'll be the one proudly showing off your progress to friends or on the networks...

So, we arm ourselves with patience and courage and we don't give up! (The eye of the tiger would say Rocky)

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3. Always take it easy

Coaches advise you to monitor three elements: the frequency, duration and intensity of your efforts.

What counts when you start again is regularity, not intensity.

So, restart with the cursor down for these 3 benchmarks and don't force yourself. Because to stay motivated, you mustn't set your sights too high right from the start.

There's no need to give up sport by overdoing it!

Avoid the pain of forcing yourself to work out for hours on end! You're more likely to never want to wear your sportswear again. There's no point.

Tip: start with short sessions and increase the duration when you feel ready and motivated.

Set yourself simple goals: for example, to exercise twice in a week for 30 minutes.

Remember: it's not the destination that's important, but the path...

On the other hand, be consistent and regular in your sports sessions!

If possible, plan your sessions and set yourself a certain discipline to stick to.

Don't hesitate to ask your doctor or sports coaches for advice: it will help you avoid injury or over-exertion... You can never be too careful!

4. How to sleep

Sleep is your best friend.

Whether it's for sport, for work, or for your general well-being... You need it.

To cope with the sustained physical effort of everyday life, you need to sleep well.

By sleeping, you recharge your batteries and allow your muscles to build and relax, as well as eliminating accumulated toxins...

How many hours of sleep do I need?

This will depend on the individual, but an average of 8 hours is often recommended.

In general, sport makes you tired and makes you feel "good"!

So listen to your body: don't hesitate to take a little nap or even go to bed earlier than usual.

5. Avoid going solo

Two or 3 people are bound to be more motivated.

And that's what it's all about when you get back into sport: getting motivated again.

And then there are some sports that require more than one person...

Tennis, for example, or badminton, etc.

Plus, it's always nice to have a friend to share those intense moments of effort. Time inevitably passes more quickly, and you can encourage each other when you're feeling down.

Or, of course, you can practice a sport with your family...

A great way to have fun together and strengthen ties with your partner or children.

You can also suggest occasional sporting activities: like taking the bike to school or going for a hike together next weekend.

Why not sign up for a regular course?  

For example, dance: are you more into ballroom, Zumba, Hip-Hop or Jazz? It's up to you, there's something for all tastes and ages... and for the whole family!

From now on, there's no excuse to get out of the way...

I think this autumn is going to be very auspicious for you...

It will be synonymous with effort, success, patience and sharing.

There's no better way to lift your spirits after the vacations.

So get ready to sign up for a sport or organize solo or group sessions.

We can't wait to hear about your exploits and other advances... Write to us!

And don't forget that to make a success of all this, you have, of course, your SPART app which can accompany you and give you lots of advice... (And also on this blog, I say that...)

See you soon...

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